New Years Eves Eve!

Today was a pretty eventful day! I pretty much ran like a chicken with my head cut off all over Cumming, Ga to try to get a new license... I won't bore you with the details but it turns out my i.d. was on top of our T.V. stand under the DVD player... How it got there? Who knows? But I found it & I couldn't be more excited bc J & our friends Bailey & Jordan got a hotel downtown & we are going to have a blast running around with the billions of other people in downtown Atlanta & we are gonna watch the Peach Drop! I am SO SO excited! J & I have never celebrated the new year together (sickness, tired, baby) so we are excited to be silly & have fun with friends (& all of Atlanta).

After the DMV I went to Target to try to find a sparkly shirt to wear & had no luck then I went to Kohls & found one thats not SUPER sparkly (like I wanted) but its pretty & I love it. Then I came back home & J & I just enjoyed the afternoon together with H & little J (the little boy I watch)...

Also my sister & I got signed up for the Publix Race on March 18. I am doing the half marathon (something on my bucket list) & my sister is doing the full marathon because she is a running freak & is a nut about races. She has really gotten me hooked on doing races & I'm proud to say that after doing my first 5K in June 2011 I have done 2 more 5K's, a sprint triathlon, & a 15K. I am very looking forward to the half marathon & I'm sure y'all will hear all about my journey in getting prepare do it.

Now on to a recipe! This one is so simple y'all that I feel silly even posting it but when I saw it I thought "hey! That's a good idea!". We are a big pizza family & this one is SO easy & completely delicious.

Pizza Roll

What you'll need:
Refrigerated pizza dough (1 or 2 rolls depending on how many you want to make)
Mozzarella cheese (as little or as much as you like)
Pepperoni's or any other topping that you like
Italian seasoning (a tablespoon or 2)
Garlic salt (a teaspoon or 2)
Butter (melted for brushing on top)
Pizza sauce for dipping

Ok. All you do is roll out the dough. Put toppings in a single layer then put cheese, sprinkle italian seasoning & garlic salt. Then starting at one side roll it up-Put it on a baking sheet & brush the melted butter on top. Pop it in the oven at 375 degree's for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. It's seriously that simple. I heat up some pizza sauce to dip it in a cut it like a jelly roll. We love this classic & it takes 5 minutes.


P.s I don't know why my pictures are out of order but y'all are smart- you know the order they should be in! :)


Until Next Time
Mrs. K Scott

2012

I am in utter disbelief that this year is already over. I seriously can't believe how fast this year has gone! Compared to years past this year has been a much-needed stress/drama free year! Hazel turned 1 in March, we bought a house & celebrated our first anniversary in September & have greatly enjoyed this year. Compared to 2010 it was a lot less stressful & boring! Just what our family needed. I am looking forward to 2012 & the new things it will bring. My baby will be 2. I seriously can't believe it. I still think of her as this little baby who couldn't even roll over. Now she's little miss independent- walking, talking, sleeping 12+ hours a night & eating all by herself.

As for new years resolutions i think I have the perfect one. I Am going to run at least one mile 6 days a week. No excuses. If I'm busy or don't feel good then 1 mile only takes around 10-15 minutes. I can take that time to make me a better me. This is the firsts new years resolution that I think is doable & that im excited bout! :) now for a photo dump. Enjoy


Ps those shows are my new years shoes- Jonathan and I are very excited to be going downtown ATL for NYE- we have never celebrated since we have been together & we can't wait. Plus my shoes rock.

Until next time-
Mrs. K Scott

Christmas Eve Eve

Can you tell that Christmas is my favorite holiday? I promise you this blog isn't all about Christmas! :) BUT with that being said here's another post about Christmas! Today has been an amazingly awesome God filled day! We had a really late night last night (didn't get H in bed till 12:30) so thankfully we all slept in till 11:30! Late start? That's ok with me! So we enjoyed pigs in a blanket for breakfast (J's favorite) then headed out into the madness & traffic to get last minute white elephant gifts all while singing Christmas carols & i ha to get things to make this adorable shirt that I made for my niece & for H to wear tomorrow to our grandmothers Christmas lunch. They turned out AMAZING. I'm thinking about selling them next year. Would you buy one? Now me & J are about to make the Christmas cookies that I posted the other day so that Santa leaves us good goodies! :) and at 6 we have church. Christmas is the best one of the year- but don't forget the real reason for the season (cliche? Oh well!) I can't wait to celebrate Jesus' birthday with my family!

Here's the shirt I made!

Until next time-
Mrs. K Scott

Days like today.

I am thankful for my husband. He seriously can change my whole mood/attitude without even trying. I just love being around him. He makes me happy. Today I was having a not so great day- which I tend to do when I'm tired & it's rainy. I hate the rain. It seriously alters my whole mood. & today was just not great- & I didn't have a chance to do my workout. But my husband comes home and my whole moods shifts. He makes me want to be a better person- so I got my fat butt up & Jillian kicked it hard. But I'm glad I didn't skip my workout today & it always makes you feel good when the last thing you want do is workout but you do it anyway. Tomorrow I only have H so as long as its not rainy or too cold we will be running to the playground & running back. Which is her absolute favorite thing because she gets to "moo" at the horses & play while I catch my breath. I love my family & am very thankful for the smiles & laughs they give me every single day.

Until next time-
Mrs. K Scott

Christmas cookies

I found this recipe on Pinterest from Tammy at Peppermint Plum. I made these with one of my girlfriends this past weekend & they were delicious! And after couple glasses (or a bottle) of wine my kitchen looked like a flour hurricane came through. Caution: drink & bake at your own risk.

Anyway to the amazing soft, fluffy, buttery, melt in your mouth cookies. I'm making these for all of our family get togethers. They are amazing.

*Tammy says the trick is to roll them out thick & bake them for less time than you'd think.

What you'll need:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
5 1/2 cups flour

In mixer, cream butter and sugar, and then add eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Combine salt, soda, and flour, and add to mixture.


Then roll them out to 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Use a spatula & carefully transfer them to Pamed baking sheet...

Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes. They will not look done. They will have absolutely NO brown on them. Leave them on the sheet for 5 minutes then move to cooling rack & decorate!


Here is the simple buttercream frosting I use:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4-1/3 cup milk

Cream butter then add sugar & vanilla till crumbly then slowly add milk until desired thickness.

Here is a not so flattering picture of the most delicious cookies.


Until Next Time-
Mrs. K Scott

Slacking

I have been seriously slacking on my exercising. It's incredible how different I am when I don't exercise. I am always tired, in a bad mood, & I have no motivation to do simple household chores. Exercise makes me a better me. I haven't done any sort of exercise since Thursday & the toll it's taken in my body sucks. I have got to remind myself to take an hour for myself each day & take care of me. Which in turn makes everyone happier. Instead I'd beating myself up over it & getting all depressed that I haven't worked out I am going to take tomorrow & start all over. Tomorrow is a new day and I am going to make the best out of it. Starting with getting up at 8 & doing u Jillian DVD before little Jonathan gets here. That way I will have the whole day to play with my two favorite 2o month olds & get my house back in order from the destruction of the weekend. Don't get discouraged if you haven't worked out in a while. Remember you're only one workout from a good mood.

Monday is a fresh start. Will you workout tomorrow? Tell me all about it!

Until next time-
Mrs. K Scott

Christmas!

Holy cow is Christmas really only 10 days away?? Wow. I have got to get my hiney in gear! I have about 5 more people to shop for, including my awesome husband (I never know what to get him... He's so hard to shop for... What do you get your husband/boyfriend?? ). But on to our traditions! J & I have always had Christmas traditions that we grew up with that we want to pass along to H! One that his mom always did for him before she passed away was get him new pajamas every Christmas & he got to open them on Christmas Eve & wear them that night. We did this last year for H's first Christmas & I plan on doing it again this year. Another tradition that I've always loved is making cookies & reindeer food on Christmas Eve & setting out a plate or Santa & his furry little friends! Then Christmas morning my mom always makes this DELICIOUS breakfast casserole that she only makes on Christmas bc it's expensive & takes about a day & a half to make!
What are some of your family traditions?
Our Christmas Eve & Christmas Day schedule is always hectic! On Christmas Eve we go to my dad's side of the family for a lunch & we open presents & just spend time as a family bc that's usually the only time we see them! Then Christmas Day we do our morning with just J, H, & my mom- H will open her big presents & play for a bit & then we head to my sister's for the big family get together! Around H's nap time is when we head to Augusta & spend the rest of the day/night with J's family then head back home! (blahh work!) needless to say we spend a lot of quality time in the car but it's all worth it because our families are awesome & so worth it! :) Christmas is my favorite holiday & I hope to make this one super special for H!

Until next time-
Mrs. K Scott

My day-to-day.

I get asked frequently how I find time to do 2 workouts, clean my house, make dinner, & take care of H. Let me just tell you right now- I drink a ton of coffee- usually a 3-4 cups in the morning. So I decided that I would let y'all into my life & explain my day-to- day routine. I LOVE routines & I feel like its the only way I can manage all my time.

9:00 AM- make bed, PUT ON WORKOUT CLOTHES, make coffee, do dishes (if my sweet husband hasn't already- which he normally has), sweep, make H breakfast, drink coffee.
10:30 AM- if I am running that day then I get ready & get Hazel ready with a snack, juice, & a water for me. & then I run to the playground which is 2 miles from my house & sometimes I let H get out & play for 30-45 depending on the weather or what we have going on that day & then run back home. (total of 4 miles)
12:00 PM- make hazel lunch... Guzzle water. Eat lunch myself- vacuum(I love vacuuming & I usually do it 2-3 times a day) do any laundry that needs to be done & just hang out with H & watch movies or play or whatever she wants to do.
2:00 PM- put H down for a nap & clean up any messes she has made. Then I clean the kitchen while I get the DVD ready for my workout. Then I do my DVD. After that torture is over I usually sit on the ground & just be weak bc she kills me....
3:30 PM- I shower & read or whatever I feel like doing
4:30 PM- H wakes up & we have a snack & wait for J to get home. He goes & does p90x while I make dinner & we usually eat around 7
8:00 PM- J takes H up for bath time & I get to catch up on Hoarders or House Hunter or blog.
9:00- H goes to sleep. J & I watch our shows & go to bed!


I wasn't going to share a recipe today but I just made this soup in the crockpot & it is outstanding.

(light)Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

What you'll need:

4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of Rice-a-Roni long grain and wild rice
1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
2 cups half and half (I used fat-free half and half)
1 cup grated carrots (I added more bc we love carrots & i diced them)
1 cup diced celery (I didn't have any so I added half an onion instead)

Directions:

Combine broth, water, carrots, celery, chicken and rice (along with seasoning packet) in a large slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Take out chicken and shred with two forks and then add back into slow cooker. In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, and flour. In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour mixture by tablespoon to form a roux. Whisk in cream, a little at a time, until fully incorporated and smooth. Stir cream mixture into slow cooker and then let cook on low for 15 more minutes.

Source: 365daysofcrockpot

It is packed with TONS of flavor & carrots. Seriously yummy (& light). So go eat up!

Until next time
-Mrs. K Scott

Christmas from Hs eyes

Although Christmas is quickly approaching and I still have about half the presents to buy, wrap, & then wrap again after H unwraps them (as she already has done 3 different presents) I can't help but take a moment and just be excited that it is my baby's second Christmas! Everyone tells me not to stress over this Christmas bc she won't remember it anyway but I can't help but fret over how I want everything to be perfect for her. Childhood Christmases were always such a magical time for me and I want that so badly for H. I want her to be so excited on Christmas Eve that it takes her half the night to fall asleep only to wake up as soon as there is day light to race down the stairs. I want her to get frustrated at our family tradition of each person opening one present at a time and all other family members having to watch- but then when it gets her turn she gets nervous because all eyes are on her. I want her to remember her childhood Christmases exactly how I do: full of food, presents, family, laughter, and fun.

Although she won't remember this Christmas in particular- she will be able to look back on the pictures and know that we tried as hard as we could to give her the best childhood.

Until Next Time-
Mrs. K Scott

Life with two 20 month olds

So today is my first day watching one of H's friends. I'll be watching him 3 days a week & I am so so so happy. Since H was born I have been wanting to keep another baby & to contribute to the family funds! Being a stay at home mom is one of the best jobs out there... But there is no pay- (the only downside) Being a single income family has been challenging & what better time to get some extra money then around Christmas time!! It's very rewarding to make your own money. Staying home with my baby/future babies is something that I am very passionate about & being able to make some money while staying home with these 2 babies is the best. Plus they LOVE each other & have so much fun playing with each other. It's a win all around.

Now that I'm gonna be keeping him 3 days my workout schedule is gonna change. On the days I'm keeping him I'm gonna get up at 7:30 & do my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. If you haven't gotten that DVD yet then what are you waiting on? All you need is weights (I suggest starting with 2 pounds/arm & then bumping it up to 5 when you're ready). It's only a little over 20 minutes long & seriously y'all it is an intense 20 minutes! But the fact that is such a short workout is my favorite part. This isn't like just walking or even jogging for 20 minutes. Your ENTIRE body is worked & you will feel phenomenal when it's over. How it works: you do 2 minute warm up & then 3 circuits. Each circuit you do 3 minutes of strength- 2 minutes of cardio & 1 minute of abs. Seriously your entire body. Just go buy it $10 at Wal-Mart. No excuses.
& then on the days I'm not keeping him I will run 2-4 miles while pushing H & do my DVD during nap time. Rest days are on Saturday & Sunday's are my long run(5+ miles). Half marathon here I come!

Now onto a recipe! This is one of our favorites. It's Baked Chicken Parmesan ... A lighter (& quicker) version of one of our favorite italian meals. I actually got this recipe off Pinterest so if you follow me it's under my "recipes" board. Not sure of who wrote it but I am in no way taking credit for this one! Ok here's what you need:

- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
-hot red pepper flakes, to taste
-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts- cut into bite sized pieces (more if you like it more chicken-y)
2 cups marinara sauce (or more depending on how saucy you like it)
1/4 cup chopped basil
8 oz mozzarella, shredded
4 oz Parmesan, grated
1 (5-oz) package garlic croutons

- all you do is put the olive oil in a baking dish with mix in the garlic & make sure you cost the bottom of the pan & then sprinkle in the red pepper flakes- I usually only do a shake or 2 but we don't like it super spicy. Then spread the chicken out evenly & make sure it's one layer... Then pour sauce on top & spread over all of it. Put basil & any other italian herbs you like then top with half of the cheese... Next put the whole bag of croutons & then top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes... Just make sure the chicken is done. It seriously is amazing.. Takes about 10 minutes to put together & we love it... It's great for left overs too... J loves taking it to work the next day! I've even cooked the chicken ahead of time & the just layered it & cooked it for about 15 minutes. Whichever you prefer. But just make it as soon as you can because it's so yummy!

Until next time
-Mrs. K Scott

All about me!

Hi! Welcome to my blog! I am very new at this so hang in there with me & we can learn this whole thing together! Firstly, my hopes for this blog are to have an outlet for my ranting & stress, have a place to complain about my workouts & how wonderfully awful they are during my journey to lose 50 pounds, & to share recipes with all you lovely people! I am becoming very passionate about working out & cooking & I hope to be able to share in that journey with y'all!

Now to share a little about myself! I am a 20 something stay at home mom & wife. My baby love is 20 months old & she is the light of my life!! She has been such a blessing in my life & I can't imagine one second of my life without her. She makes me a better person & I will forever be thankful that she calls me mama! We'll call her H. My husband is such a huge part of my happiness. He is the backbone of our family & I couldn't ask for a stronger man to lead our family! He makes me smile & laugh every single day & I love how I can be completely myself around him. I have never had someone share so many of my interest & it's completely amazing to be married to my best friend... We'll call him J. We recently just bought our first house & I am having so much fun making it our home. On December 4, 2011 I weighed the heaviest I have ever weighed & I made a vow to myself that I will never weigh that much again & so began my journey to lose 50 pounds. I have decided that my health & fitness is one of the most important things- not only for me but for my baby love too. She deserves to have both of her parents for as long as she possibly can & J & I are determined to make sure that happens.


Until next time.
-Mrs. Ka Scott